High speed all-optical switching based on a single-arm interferometer

Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 1996.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 125-133).by Naimish S. Patel.M.Eng

Cell Elasticity Determines Macrophage Function

Macrophages serve to maintain organ homeostasis in response to challenges from injury, inflammation, malignancy, particulate exposure, or infection. Until now, receptor ligation has been understood as being the central mechanism that regulates macrophage function. Using macrophages of different origins and species, we report that macrophage elasticity is a major determinant of innate macrophage function. Macrophage elasticity is modulated not only by classical biologic activators such as LPS and IFN-γ, but to an equal extent by substrate rigidity and substrate stretch. Macrophage elasticity is dependent upon actin polymerization and small rhoGTPase activation, but functional effects of elasticity are not predicted by examination of gene expression profiles alone. Taken together, these data demonstrate an unanticipated role for cell elasticity as a common pathway by which mechanical and biologic factors determine macrophage function

4. Morphometric measurement of Human femur in Gujarati population and their significance.

Introduction: morphometric measurement of femur is useful in academic study for anatomist and also useful in medico legal cases and in physical anthropology. The present study has been carried out to establish the normal range of various morphometric parameters of femur in Gujarat populations and compare the various parameters of femur in Gujarat population with other populations. Material and method: The study was carried out using 150 dry normal adult femora (97male, 53female) in NHL municipal medical college, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Result:The all parameters of femur of Gujarat population is less than that of American white, California, Marathwada, North Central India and population of Maharashtra, while more than the length of Chinese population. Conclusion: Findings of the present study is useful in medico legal cases for estimation of sex from available fragmentary femora. The study can also be useful to anatomist & physical anthropologist

Novel Developments in the Epidemic of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Tuberculosis Coinfection

Tuberculosis (TB) disease remains one of the highest causes of mortality in HIV-infected individuals, and HIV–TB coinfection continues to grow at alarming rates, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Surprisingly, a number of important areas regarding coinfection remain unclear. For example, increased risk of TB disease begins early in the course of HIV infection; however, the mechanism by which HIV increases this risk is not well understood. In addition, there is lack of consensus on the optimal way to diagnose latent TB infection and to manage active disease in those who are HIV infected. Furthermore, effective point-of-care testing for TB disease remains elusive. This review discusses key areas in the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of active and latent TB in those infected with HIV, focusing attention on issues related to high- and low-burden areas. Particular emphasis is placed on controversial areas where there are gaps in knowledge and on future directions of study

Immunomodulatory and clinical effects of receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) inhibitor eclitasertib (SAR443122) in patients with severe COVID-19: a phase 1b, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study

Abstract Background Targeting receptor-interacting serine/threonine protein kinase 1 could mitigate the devastating sequelae of the hyperinflammatory state observed in severe cases of COVID-19. This study explored the immunomodulatory and clinical effects of the receptor-interacting serine/threonine protein kinase 1 inhibitor SAR443122 (eclitasertib) in patients with severe COVID-19. Methods In this Phase 1b, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study (NCT04469621) a total of 82 patients were screened, of whom 68 patients were eligible and randomized (2:1) to receive eclitasertib 600 mg (300 mg twice daily) or placebo up to 14 days. Primary outcome was relative change in C-reactive protein from baseline to Day 7. Time to clinical improvement using 7-point ordinal scale, ventilator/respiratory failure-free days, change in SpO2/FiO2 ratio, and biomarkers of severe COVID-19 were explored. Results Geometric mean ratio (point estimate [90% confidence interval]) of the relative change from baseline in C-reactive protein with eclitasertib vs. placebo on Day 7 was 0.85 (0.49–1.45; p = 0.30). Median time to 50% decrease in C-reactive protein from baseline was 3 days vs. 5 days (p = 0.056) with eclitasertib vs. placebo. Median time to ≥ 2-point improvement on 7-point clinical symptoms scale was 8 days vs. 10 days with eclitasertib vs. placebo (p = 0.38). Mean ventilator/respiratory failure-free days, change in baseline-adjusted SpO2/FiO2 ratio, and clinical biomarkers showed consistent numerical improvements with eclitasertib vs. placebo. The most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events were gastrointestinal disorders and condition aggravated/worsened COVID-19 pneumonia. Conclusions Eclitasertib was well tolerated with consistent trends toward more rapid resolution of inflammatory biomarkers and clinical improvement in severe COVID-19 patients than placebo. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04469621, first posted on clinicaltrials.gov on July 14, 2020